Question

consider these themes from gilgamesh: a new english version battle forces people to acknowledge their mortality. success in battle results in glory. which statement best describes how these themes interact in the tale? gilgamesh and enkidu are afraid of the threat that humbaba poses to their lives, so they forgo a chance at fame gilgamesh and enkidus desire for recognition and fame allows them to overcome their fear of death. when humbaba threatens to kill enkidu and gilgamesh, he claims that he will achieve great fame. when humbaba is aware that gilgamesh is going to kill him, he begs for his death to be an honorable one.

Explanation:

We analyze each option:

• First option: The text says they forgo fame, but the themes are about battle, mortality, and glory. This doesn't match as they should interact with the themes of acknowledging mortality and gaining glory.
• Second option: The themes are that battle makes people acknowledge mortality and success in battle gives glory. Gilgamesh and Enkidu's desire for recognition (glory) and fame would make them face the fear of death (mortality from battle), so this fits how the themes interact.
• Third option: This is about Humbaba's claim, not how the two themes (mortality from battle, glory from success) interact in the tale.
• Fourth option: This is about Humbaba's death request, not the interaction of the two themes.

Answer:

B. Gilgamesh and Enkidu’s desire for recognition and fame allows them to overcome their fear of death.